The Prince of Wales cheered on Aston Villa from the stands as his favourite football team took on German giants Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening.

Television footage showed William clapping and cheering at Villa Park as home fans thought they took the lead through Pau Torres but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Before the Champions League match, William met Villa’s 1982 European Cup-winning squad, who beat Bayern 1-0 in the final.

A post on the Prince and Princess of Wales’s X social media account read: “42 years on, our 1982 European Cup winning legends are here on an historic night for @AVFCOfficial.

“Ready for the first game on home turf in this year’s European adventure… #UTV (Up the Villa).”

Villa, who opened their European campaign with a 3-0 win away at Swiss side Young Boys, played their first home fixture in Europe’s top competition since a quarter-final defeat to Juventus in 1983.

Earlier on Wednesday, footballing stars including former Scotland player Ally McCoist received honours from William at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.

McCoist, who was made an OBE, said the pair talked about football, including Aston Villa’s European tie.

McCoist told the PA news agency: “I’m obviously well aware that the prince is an Aston Villa fan – they’ve got a very, very big game tonight, which I think he’s going to.

Ally McCoist
Former Scotland footballer Ally McCoist was made an MBE (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“So we spoke about that, and just generally working in broadcasting and life really.”

Former England international Karen Carney, who was made an OBE, said she had “some banter” with William – who supports the rival team to her Birmingham City.

“To be brutally honest, a lot of people know I’m a Birmingham City fan, there’s a big game at Aston Villa tonight,” Carney said.

“Obviously with Prince William being a Villa fan I thought there was a good opportunity for some banter with him.

“He was really gracious, he’s going to the game, which is cool.

“So we just chatted about football really which is I think the common language for everybody, I think everyone can talk about football which is really good.

“I’ve met him previously with the Lionesses, he’s a football fan for both the men’s and women’s game, which is really cool.”

Earlier this year, William was seen cheering on the England men’s national team at the Euros.